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While summer is great in many destinations, there are also places that reach peak epicness in the fall and winter. The Point Reyes National Seashore, about an hour north of San Francisco, is one such place, especially if you’re the type of person who loves being immersed in nature and among the beautiful plants and animals that make our planet a magical place.

One of the best things about the Bay Area is its natural beauty and the many opportunities to escape the busy bustle of the city for a refreshing few hours amongst tall trees and breathtaking views. While you’re in town staying at HI San Francisco hostels, you might not have a car to take you up to the majestic Muir Woods or the network of trails in the Marin Headlands, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to miss out on rejuvenating nature time.

One of the many reasons to love travel is because it’s an excellent excuse to eat well in the interest of understanding different cultures and places through food. From giant burritos in San Francisco, to that perfectly gooey giant slice of New York pizza, there are local treats all across the country that are worth getting on the road for. In Portland, Oregon, which is a bit of a foodie haven thanks to its sustainable locavore culture, there are not only bucket list-worthy eats to try, there are also a lot of quirky places to try them, like food carts and converted buses.

The City by the Bay has a rich and colorful history that reflects its melting pot population and role in California culture. When you stay at any of HI USA’s three hostels in San Francisco, you can get a taste of the city’s vibrant past on our free walking and bicycle tours and through interactions with hostel staff. However, when you stay at HI SF Fisherman’s Wharf, you get to be totally immersed in a slice of Bay Area history, as the hostel sits within a National Park that originally served as an army post for more than a century.

One of the things to love about San Francisco is that, despite its reputation as a hilly city, it’s extremely bicycle friendly and you don’t need a car to get around. If you’re in town staying at any of HI USA’s hostels in San Francisco, a great way to experience the City by the Bay on two wheels is to join the Bike the Bridge tour offered every Tuesday.

Karessa Irvin is a real traveler. That is, she is the type of traveler who seeks out hyperlocal experiences and gets to know people so she can better understand their cultures and find the similarities and embrace the differences between them. When she got the chance to travel to Colombia through the Princeton in Latin America program, which partners recent college graduates in the U.S. with non-profit, humanitarian organizations in Latin America, Karessa knew this was something she wanted to do.